Shady’s at the Lake loses infringement lawsuit

The owner of a lake area bar has been ordered by a federal court judge to cease using the current name or something similar and to pay a fine of $300,000.

The owner of a lake area bar has been ordered by a federal court judge to cease using the current name or something similar and to pay a fine of $300,000.

David Ruth, who up until recently operated Shady's at the Lake, LLC, on Bagnell Dam Blvd. in Lake Ozark, has been ordered to cease using the name, any logo or from selling any merchandise with the name.

Ruth was sued by John. R. Larrison, a St. Louis businessman who operates a bar under the name of Shady Jack's Cafe on Broadway.

The decision issued by the court also ordered Ruth to turn over any signs, motorcycle image, menus or other supplies used by the restaurant that had the word/logo for "Shady's" or "Jack's" on it.

The name and theme of the lake venue was similar to that of the St. Louis bar. The court documents and decision referred to Ruth's use of the name and logos as infringing on Larrison's trademarks.

The order extended to ads appearing in Full Throttle magazine, other publications and shirts sold by Ruth.